September 26, 2019

We've been very busy these past few weeks. I'll try an hit some highlights.

I've been working in the mornings and some evenings teaching English online. I'm still liking it and I have some regulars now that I really enjoy.

Nana and Grandad came in for Robert's birthday at the beginning of the month and we spent a  glorious afternoon at Chuck E Cheese with their all you can play all day special. The kids came home with some amazing prizes and the adults had a ton of fun too. The kids especially like riding in the back of Nana and Grandad's convertible. I mean, who wouldn't?

Robert's actual birthday was spent going to CC where he got to bring treats (cookies) for all his friends. He got to open his present from us (the Buzz Lightyear playset he's been wanting for months) and we had dinner at Burger Kind (his choice!). After dinner Robert decided he wanted to have his date with me while the rest of the kids and Francis went to Hannah's skating lesson. I was so honored! We went shopping and had rolled ice cream (William talked about how amazing it was!). He chose black forest ice cream. The workers found out it was his birthday and put a sparkler candle in his cup and sang to him. The whole place joined it. It was very special. There were a ton of college students there who all wished him a happy birthday. Robert loved the attention. Robert has hit the 33 inch mark and is still lean. He's smart, sweet and we love having him in our family. Happy Birthday Robert!

Later that week was the first Bible Study and first JAM (parents night out). For the latter, Francis took me to Christopher's steak house and we finally celebrated our anniversary. The food was amazing and the company unparalleled. We rarely get to celebrate our anniversary in August, but I'm happy we still try to do it. I love you, Francis!

I took Hannah on her Mommy date the next day. She wanted to do the same thing as brothers, but for shopping we went to Barnes and Noble. She looked at nearly every item in the toy and children's sections with great care. This girl knows what she likes. She chose cherry rolled ice cream and loved it as much as her brothers loved their flavors. I love one on one time with my kids! That night we had our Life Group social at a friend's house. The kids got to run out in the area behind the house and the adults got to eat, watch and talk. It was a great evening.

This past weekend, my parents came up to see the boys' first football game. The kids played hardand had fun. Afterward my mom and Francis went to the football game while the kids, my dad and I went home and watched the game. My dad is amazing. He managed to play chess with William, hold Andrew, read to Hannah and have a conversation with Robert simultaneously. Everyone loves Papa. Mom and Francis had a good time too talking to all the big wigs and eating yummy food. I hope to go with Mom one of these days!

Robert and William led worship in church on Sunday as part of the children's choir. Robert even recited John 1:1-2 before the whole congregation. It brough tears to my eyes to hear them sing. They will be performing in December a full concert and William and Robert both have speaking parts. I can hardly wait!

We've gone out to Lick Creek park 3 times now for their free homeschool science class. The kids have learned about the scientific method, insects and birds, and volcanoes. It's been pretty fun and it's free! Afterward we've been going on short walks around the park. We even moved library day for it, so you know it's a big deal.

We got to check out the library renovations on Tuesday. They reopened on Monday. I love the renovations. They put a glass wall around the children's area which helps with both sound and containment. They also added a play area and activity tables, and the kids did not want to leave when it was time. We'll be back soon!

Andrew had his 15 month check up today. He is still super long (33 1/3 inches) and average weight (24lbs). He's getting so big. He's trying to keep up with his siblings and abandoned his high chair for a regular (booster) seat at the table. Don't tell him, but he has slept through the night 7 out of the last 10 nights. I don't even know how to process that. In fact all of the kids slept through the night last night. I got up this morning and made sure they were all alive before I started work. I'm hoping this is the beginning of a new era. Sleep is needed in this house. Hopefully it sticks around!!

Till next time!

September 5, 2019

September is in full swing at the Phillips house. We've had two weeks of CC now and start Bible Study next week. Hannah started skating lessons and the boys started foot ball practice. Hannah was hesitant at first but seems to be liking it so far. The boys are on the dame team and enjoy practicing in the evenings with Francis who is their assistance coach. We have been getting a lot of friend time too which has been good for kids and momma.

Weekend before last we had the big boys family party. The whole Noble and Phillips clan got together to celebrate with Ninjago, Pokemon, Star Wars and PJ masks (some of the boys favorite things). Thankfully we already had most of these decorations! I tried my hand at face painting and we played pin the tail on the Charizard. It was good to see everyone and get loved on by those we hold dear. Shout out to our family for driving to see us!

Back to our first day of CC. It was Hannah's first day in class. Her class is pretty even boys and girls (unlike William and Robert, who both have boy heavy classes). She was a little shy at first but by the end of the morning, she wanted to take a turn just like everyone else. She did her first presentation and shyly told everyone her name, age and that she loved ponies. Some kids won't speak at all the first time, so I was very happy she was brave enough to speak. The kids and I all had lunch together and then had recess. William is now in the "older" group when the kids split for recess (they trade playing outside and at the indoor playground), so he doesn't get to play with his siblings. It was an adjustment, but it wasn't long before all the kids had found a friend. We love our CC group. It's going to be a great year!

In my new job (with VIPKid) I have now taught 16 classes, and 10 of them were in the past 5 days. My morning schedule is becoming completely booked most days. I thought taking a week off last week (Francis was in DC and had the laptop) was going to ruin my momentum, but God is good and I'm making progress in getting students to both book and rebook me. So far my favorites are the littlest ones (4 years old), but I also like how older students are more able to hold a conversation in English. I could write a novel here about all my experiences so far, but overall I'm enjoying both the flexibility and the actual job. I have also found that I can find almost any prop to teach among my kids' gigantic store of toys. So rather than call them hoarders, I can now call them my resource center managers, haha. It's all about perspective.

This morning we went to the Lick creek nature center for a homeschool science lesson. It was fun and afterward Hannah got to play with her friend while the boys caught and identified bugs and spiders. A good time was had by all!

That's it for now. Till next time!